Sketch writer and comedian DC Pierson made a pit-stop in Gainesville last night, and he divulged some industry secrets, improvisation advice and sketch anecdotes to the members of Theatre Strike Force.
Pierson is known for his work with DERRICK Comedy, a sketch comedy group that is premiering a feature-length film on Friday called “MYSTERY TEAM.” The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and is about three older boys who solve ridiculous mysteries.
Think “Encyclopedia Brown” and “The Hardy Boys,” except with more adult themes. Crazy, right?
Pierson has been writing sketches and performing improv since college, and he was a performer and writer at the New York Upright Citizen’s Brigade, which is essentially one of the most well-respected improv hubs in the nation.
He relates to college students, and his humor is directed toward the college age group. College improvisers are enthralled with him because Pierson started out exactly where they are now. And he made it. He’s proof that someone can make a living off their creativity, off their comedy. UF improvisers don’t have to become lawyers and dentists if they don’t really want to. Follow the dream, man.
Pierson said writing sketches with his talented college group always started with “doing bits with each other.” They would focus on a parody or a concept, and it was rare to have someone walk in with a fully furnished sketch.
He described himself and his group as “control freaks.” They take their sketches seriously, he said. And it shows. They look professional, high-quality and the cinematography is excellent.
To give you a taste of one of their earlier sketches, visit “Daughters” on YouTube. It’s a parody of “24.”
He said the quality of the sketch doesn’t come down to the quality of your equipment or the type of schooling you’ve had. It’s about the amount of time and thinking you invest in a project.
He also encouraged college students to work on as many projects as they can outside of the classroom.
“There’s total freedom,” Pierson said. “You can just try s— out.”
As far as improvising goes, his advice to performers was to “be more humble, and don’t think you’re such a hotshot.”
Also, something that spoke volumes about his generous and oddball personality: he emptied two plastic Target bags full of goodies on the carpeted stage floor during his talk. The booty he generously passed out to audience members ranged from tiny plastic dinosaurs and sticky eyeballs to Hot Wheels cars and neon kazoos.
However, everyone was vying for the ultimate prize that night: a DVD of Hotel Rwanda.
